My Child Keeps Getting Headaches — Is It a Migraine?

Is your child missing school because of headaches? Are they asking to lie down in a dark room whenever a headache comes? You are not alone. Headaches in children are very common — and migraines are more common in children than most parents realise.

Are Headaches in Children Normal?

Not every headache means something serious. Children often get headaches due to dehydration, skipping meals, too much screen time, poor sleep, or school stress. However, if the headaches are frequent, severe, or stopping your child from their daily activities, it is time to see a doctor.

What is a Migraine — In Simple Words?

A migraine is not just a bad headache. It is a condition where the brain reacts to certain triggers by causing pain — usually on one or both sides of the head — along with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. In children, migraines can be shorter than in adults (sometimes just 1–2 hours) and often affect the whole head rather than just one side.

Signs Your Child May Have Migraines

• Headaches that come back again and again (more than once or twice a month)
• Pain that is moderate to severe — not just a mild ache
• Wanting to go to a quiet, dark room during the headache
• Feeling sick to the stomach or vomiting
• Looking very pale during the headache
• Stomach pain without any obvious reason ("tummy ache") — this can be a form of migraine in young children
• Dizziness or feeling like the room is spinning

Common Triggers in Indian Children

These are the most common things that set off a migraine:

• Skipping meals or not drinking enough water (very common in hot Hyderabad summers)
• Too much time on phones, tablets, or TV
• Exam stress or school pressure
• Sleeping too little or changing sleep times on weekends
• Bright sunlight or flickering lights
• Strong smells like perfumes or incense
• Certain foods — chocolate, very spicy food, processed snacks, and caffeinated drinks like cola

When Should You Take Your Child to a Doctor?

See a doctor if:

• Headaches are happening more than 3–4 times a month
• The headache is very severe or described as the "worst headache ever"
• There is fever, stiff neck, or rash along with the headache
• Your child is waking up at night because of the headache
• The headaches are affecting school attendance or daily play
• The headache starts after a head injury

At Sri Anand Child and Neuro Center in Chanda Nagar, Hyderabad, Dr. Anand Karnam evaluates and treats migraines in children from Ameenpur, Miyapur, Lingampally, Kondapur and all surrounding areas.

What is the Treatment?

Treatment depends on how often and how severe the migraines are. For occasional attacks, pain relief medicines and rest in a dark, quiet room help. For frequent migraines, a neurologist may suggest preventive medicines, as well as lifestyle changes. Keeping a simple headache diary — writing down when the headache happened, how long it lasted, and what the child ate or did before — is very helpful for the doctor.

"Migraine is very treatable. With the right approach, most children can have far fewer headaches and lead a completely normal school life."